Apricot-Pistachio Bars

2 weeks ago 8

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

These soft, astir chewy bars are redolent with the scents of the Middle East: pistachios, apricots, cardamom and mace. They are tartly saccharine and alternatively cakelike, an antithetic summation to immoderate vacation cooky list.

STORE: Layer betwixt sheets of wax insubstantial successful an airtight instrumentality astatine country temperature. To freeze, wrapper the bars successful wax insubstantial and spot successful a heavy-duty resealable integrative nutrient retention freezer container for up to 2 months. Thaw wholly earlier serving.

Adapted from "Christmas Sweets," by Georgeanne Brennan (Chronicle, 2007).

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 70 bars

For the dough

16 tablespoons (2 sticks) positive 1 spoon unsalted butter, astatine country temperature
1/2 cupful sugar
1/2 cupful packed airy brownish sugar
4 ample eggs
1 tablespoonful finely grated orangish zest
1/2 spoon vanilla extract
1 spoon apricot brandy (optional)
1 1/4 cups flour
1 spoon baking powder
1/2 spoon baking soda
1/2 spoon crushed cardamom
1/4 spoon crushed mace
2 cups coarsely chopped dried unsulphured unsweetened apricots
1/2 cupful dried currants
1/2 cupful coarsely chopped unsalted, lightly toasted pistachios

For the icing

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orangish juice

Nutritional Facts

Per bar

Calories
64
Fat
3 g
Saturated Fat
2 g
Carbohydrates
8 g
Sodium
27 mg
Cholesterol
19 mg
Protein
1 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from "Christmas Sweets," by Georgeanne Brennan (Chronicle, 2007).

Tested by Sue Kovach Shuman.

Published March 12, 2026